My heartbeat softens and beats so slowly, as if it were drifting from my body. Thoughts without words flow like liquid in nocturne’s air. The room is black, thick with darkness.

Softly, the room is illuminated by delicate flames from surrounding candles. I am standing at the top of a staircase, stone-cold and grey. A familiar song ominously plays, and I see you waiting at the bottom of the stairs, clad in black velvet. I am blanketed in cobweb lace from my neck down to the floor. My hair falls in raven tresses upon my icy white skin. As I descend, I recognize the Siouxsie & the Banshees song. I greet you in a German tongue and hand you a black rose so translucent, it looks like glass.

We dance. You gaze at me through your long hair, and I see warmth in your smile. The amplified music echoes through the walls, almost ghastly. The resounding chords of elation are being sung within my soul. We dance so freely, like two macabre spirals of smoke radiating from sticks of incense. The tiny fires of each glowing candle brighten and shine like golden starlight.

Siouxsie's voice grows more dramatic and then begins to melt. I look at your face, breathing you in. You're leaning in closer to me. The welcome touch of your lips comes to me. The music begins to die, and with it, the candlelight starts to waver. You're kissing my lips tenderly. I savor their soft touch. Darkness surges through the room; not even moonlight is evident to the eye. Your smile grows more intense; the whiteness of your teeth reveal two long fangs. Unafraid, I await your kiss. I turn my head to the right, lifting my neck towards you. I await your dark gift. Chills race through my body, brushing across my flesh like feathers. The only sounds reverberating in my ears was my isolated breathing and the pulsing of my blood. I feel you hesitate, but passionate kisses are all I can taste...

My feverish skin is all I can feel; heated to the touch, but arctic cold beneath the surface. I see nothing but black. Warm breezes caress me, and I begin to hear a new song playing. Visions come to me in colorless blurs, yet I experience strong emotions that feel me with delight. Siouxsie's enchanting voice leads your presence to me on silken ribbons. I expected to feel your warm touch again. I am yearning inside.

Another song imbues my senses; it sounds like Cocteau Twins, except two octaves higher and slightly faster. My emotions are sharpened and unsuspecting of what's to happen next.

A stranger's voice is calling me, trying to grasp my attention. In fear, I start to shiver, unknowing of the stranger's intentions. The shadows are playing tricks on me; the blackest shapes flow into the grey, confusing my eyes and diluting me senses. I cannot tell if anyone is there or not.

I close my eyes. I feel a cool wind kissing my face as metallic black water is shimmering and being poured over me. It feels so relaxing and calming to my restless senses. I watch each silver ring ripple before my eyes. My security has been restored.

I feel as if you were cradling me in your arms. I can sense the sweet smell of your warmth. Then there were words; words I cannot recall for the life of me. All I could hear was the pleasing tone in your voice, smiling upon me. Reaching for you, quickly, I open my eyes...

There is nothing but the familiarity of my cold bedroom. My greed for your company spoiled the dream. I felt so alone and empty.

My mind is but a strange chamber for dreams. The mental experience can surpass even the finest art. Although life can prove harsh, my mind can never be violated. My thoughts are my own, each accompanied with its rich imagery... the moments of melancholy life shimmering; the black swirls rippling above my eyes. The softness of that black water, like a blanket, soothes my head. My soul transpires from me ever so slowly into a pool of spiritual debris.

The netherworld is calling me with the borrowed voices of sirens. To give in could be deathly. To resist would be insanity. The sounds make my ears so acute to the slightest of whispers. I am drifting again.

I walk in solitude. I entered this world as alone as could be, crying for what had passed. I tug the blankets like cloaks around me, feeling nothing but the warmth beginning to penetrate my soul. I have to remember my visions and hope to replay them over and over in this world.

But for now, I hope for dreamless sleep, that I may join the liquid thoughts flowing through the air. All that is black is mine.